Universal mounting plate (U.M.P.)

ABSTRACT

A Transparent universal mounting plate used to visually verify the concrete grout flow inside a hollow concrete masonry unit (CMU) to various embedded items. The universal mounting plate is used to secure a PA Strap to the CMU for a roof purlin, to secure an all-thread rod with nuts and washer embedded into the CMU for an HD Holdown which is used to secure roof joists to the CMU, to secure Hex Head Machine bolts for wood ledger attachments, &amp; to secure Weld plates for steel ledger attachments.

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of Endeavor

[0002] This invention pertains to securing various embedded items into a hollow CMU (concrete masonry unit) prior to filling the CMU with grout (concrete). It will also act as a transparent bandage for the CMU to allow the user to visually see the grout flow to the various embedded items.

[0003] 2. Specific Problems and How They Are Solved

[0004] 1—In the past we would either cut a 1″×2½″ slot into the CMU to place the strap connector into the CMU and we would pack paper around the strap to keep the grout from leaking. Or we would have to cut a 2″-3″ hole into the CMU so that we could get the PA strap around the horizontal reinforcing in the CMU. We would then cover the hole we cut in with a piece of plywood or glue on a tin shingle over the hole.

[0005] With our U.M.P. (Universal Mounting Plate) we can core drill a 2½″-3″ hole into the CMU, take the PA Strap and hook the horizontal reinforcing in the CMU. We would then slide the U.M.P. (Universal Mounting Plate) on to the strap thru the slit in the U.M.P. and secure the U.M.P. to the C.M.U with the anchoring ties (zip ties).

[0006] 2—We would core drill a 2½″-3″ hole in a hollow CMU and we would either use a piece of 12″×12″ plywood with a ⅞″ hole in the center for the machine bolt, all-thread with nuts and washer, or plate bolt and attach it to the CMU with concrete nails. The machine bolt, all-thread with nuts and washer, or plate bolt would have to be installed in the plywood at the time that we nailed the plywood on to the CMU. We would have to remove the plywood after the grout dried. In other instances we would glue a 5″×7″ metal roofing shingle with a ⅞″ hole in the center for an anchor bolt to the masonry wall. After the glue dried (normally the next day) we would install the anchor bolt. The metal roofing shingle could be left in place. (The plywood and the metal roofing shingles would act as a bandage to cover the hole that we drilled and not let the grout leak out).

[0007] With our U.M.P. we can core drill a 2½″-3″ hole into the hollow CMU and install the machine bolt, all-thread with nuts and washer, or plate bolt into the CMU at the same time we installed the

[0008] U.M.P. and the U.M.P. could be left in place after we grouted the CMU.

[0009] 3—In the past we would core a 2½″-3″ hole into the hollow CMU. We would then place the nelson stud part of the weld plate into the CMU and nail a piece of wood over the weld plate to hold it securely to the CMU. The weld plate would act as the cover, but when we grouted the grout would sometimes leak and cause the weld plate to push away from the CMU and cause

[0010] problems when welding the angle iron to the weld plates

[0011] With our U.M.P. we would open the weakened joint and slide the stud of the weld plate into the center hole of the U.M.P. that we drilled. The weld plate will stay in place because the pressure

[0012] from the grout is on the U.M.P. not the weld plate.

[0013] 4—In the past we could never be sure that the grout inside the C.M.U. had flowed and completely

[0014] sealed the CMU where we had core drilled the 2½″-3″ hole.

[0015] With our U.M.P. our U.M.P. is made of a transparent material which allows us to visually see that the grout has flowed and completely sealed the CMU at the core hole area behind our U.M.P.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] This invention is intended to simplify the installation of various masonry embedded items. This invention is intended to act as a transparent bandage which will also secure various embedded masonry hardware items to the CMU while allowing us to visually see the concrete grout flow inside of the hollow CMU to the embedded hardware.

[0017] In the past there was a possibility of the grout not flowing properly and resulting in voids at the embedded hardware area, there was even a possibility of no grout flow at all in these areas. This invention will help to eliminate this problem because you will be able to see the grout flow properly to these areas or if additional consolidation with a vibrator will be needed.

[0018] This invention is intended to be left in place after the grouting process and the ledger can be installed directly over the U.M.P.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1—is a front view of the U.M.P.(universal mounting plate in the CMU with the PA strap connection.

[0020]FIG. 2—is a front view of the U.M.P. in the CMU with the machine bolt connection

[0021]FIG. 3—is a front view of the U.M.P. in the CMU with the weld plate connection.

[0022]FIG. 4—is a front view of the U.M.P.

[0023]FIG. 5—is a side view of the U.M.P. and the zip tie connector attached.

[0024]FIG. 6—is a front view of the zip tie connector.

[0025]FIG. 7—is a front view of the U.M.P. with the PA strap attached.

[0026]FIG. 8—is a side view of the U.M.P. with the PA strap attached.

[0027]FIG. 9—is a side view of the U.M.P. with the machine bolt attached

[0028]FIG. 10—is a side view of the weld plate and the weakened joint in the U.M.P.

[0029]FIG. 11—is a front view of the U.M.P. being installed into the CMU

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] This invention consists of a 4½″ round transparent plastic plate(FIG. 4) and four 4½″ long zip tie connectors(FIG. 6). These items are manufactured thru an injection molding process out of a transparent polyethylene plastic or nylon material.

[0031] The round plate in FIG. 4 has four slots(21) which protrude out the back side(26) of the U.M.P.(20) and let the zip tie connectors(30) slide from the rear of the U.M.P.(20) through the front face and lock in position.

[0032] There is a ¼″×2¼″slot(23) in the center of the U.M.P.(20) which will allow for the PA strap(40) to slide thru, from the rear to the front as in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8

[0033] There is a weakened joint(24) in the U.M.P.(20) which can be opened to allow the weld plate(46) to pass thru as in FIG. 10 and be centered in the plate.

[0034] We will core drill a 2½″-3″ hole(50) in the CMU with a diamond core bit. We will then assemble the U.M.P.(20) with the zip tie connectors(30). The zip tie connectors will have the flag part(32) extending away from the center.

[0035] We would then, depending upon which embedded item we were going to install. We would either install the PA strap(40) into the rear of the U.M.P.(20) as in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, through the ¼″×2¼″ slit in the center with the added build up of material for added support(25). Or we would install a machine bolt(43) into the rear(FIG. 9) of the U.M.P.(20) thru the ⅞″ hole in the center(23), or we would open the weakened joint(24) in the U.M.P.(20) and slide the weld plate (46) thru as in FIG. 10. We would then install the flag part(32) of the zip tie connector(31) of the U.M.P.(20) into the 2½″-3″ hole that we had core drilled. The zip tie connector(30) will bend towards the center of the hole while being installed thru the core hole as in FIG. 11 and will spring back to its original shape once fully inserted into the CMU(10). After the U.M.P.(20) is installed in place we would pull the zip ties until the U.M.P. is secure with the face of the CMU as per FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3. At this time we would cut the zip tie connector(30) flush with the front face of the U.M.P. The U.M.P.(20) is thin enough that it will not impede the installation of any wood or steel ledger that may be installed so it can remain in place after the CMU(10) is grouted. The U.M.P.(10) is made of a transparent material so that we can immediately see visually that the concrete grout has flowed to the embeds and that there are no voids in the grout. If there were any voids in the grout we would know right away and we could take action now, so as not to be surprised later as with a plywood plate or metal roofing shingle. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A transparent U.M.P.(universal mounting plate) used for visually verifying the concrete grout flow to various embedded masonry hardware items, which are secured in place by the U.M.P., which is secured in place to the CMU (concrete masonry unit) by the use of 4 zip tie connectors.
 2. The U.M.P. of claim 1 is constructed of a transparent polyethylene plastic or nylon material.
 3. The U.M.P. of claim 1 is held in place by the use of polyethylene plastic or nylon zip tie connectors.
 4. The U.M.P. of claim 1 has 4 female slot connections for the zip ties which extend into the CMU and keep the UMP from moving
 5. The U.M.P. of claim 1 has a added buildup of material around the PA strap slot and radius opening in the center of the plate. This is used for added support of the embedded items, and will protrude into the CMU
 6. The U.M.P. of claim 1 is used to secure a PA strap to the CMU
 7. The U.M.P. of claim 1 is used to secure a all-thread rod with nuts and washer to the CMU
 8. The U.M.P. of claim 1 is used to secure a hex head machine bolt to the CMU
 9. The U.M.P. of claim 1 is used to secure a weld plate to the CMU 